IPL 2017: Kevin Pietersen bashes ECB for recalling Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler for Champions Trophy – Pietersen said that Stokes and Buttler should be playing for playoffs and finals of Indian Premier League 2017.

Ben Stokes (PTI)

English all-rounder Ben Stokes is Indian Premier League’s costliest purchase of season 10. He has contributed to Rising Pune Supergiant’s success in every way possible. But as the team gets ready for the playoff match against Mumbai Indians on Tuesday, Stokes will head to Spain to attend a training camp organised by ECB ahead of Champions Trophy.

Stokes is joined by Mumbai Indians all-rounder Jos Buttler. Buttler scored 272 runs in 10 games he played for the Mumbai-based team.

RPS will have to look for someone who can fill in the void created by Stokes’ departure and Mumbai Indians too will have to deal with the situation. But the decision seems to have upset out of favour England batsman Kevin Pietersen more than anyone else.

Pietersen called ECB’s decision to recall the players pathetic. According to a report in Indian Express, Pietersen was quoted saying, “I think it’s pathetic. An absolute shambles. Stokes should be playing in the semi-final and the final. The last week of the IPL is a huge occasion. Just speak to him, speak to Jos Buttler, they’ll talk about how much it has helped their development being out there. What are they going to Spain for? To field a couple of balls? He should be playing in the IPL.”

Former English batsman also tweeted his sentiments towards the decision.

Absolutely PATHETIC that @benstokes38 & @josbuttler have to go drink a few beers in Spain instead of playing IPL finals!

Mumbai Indians have already tried West Indies’ batsman Lendl Simmons as a replacement to Jos Buttler keeping in mind that the player won’t be available for the later part of the cash-rich event. But Ben Stokes has been a regular in RPS playing XI. He scored 316 runs in 12 games, which also include his maiden IPL century against Gujarat Lions, and picked up 12 wickets.

Pietersen continued talking about the absence of the players, explaining that playing in IPL is not about the money all the time.

“Cash is one thing, and I know in this country they like to talk cash, cash, cash with IPL, but for his development – have a look at the tweet that Buttler put out last night, how much he loved the experience – playing with those players, coached by Mahela Jayawardene,” said Pietersen.

Pietersen also talked about how playing in different conditions helps a players’ learning and development. Spending time in India also helps when the national teams travel to sub-continent for long tours.

“The one thing that all international players learn from is the ability to go to India, to have success in India, to have friends in India, which makes (it easier) travelling the sub-continent – which are big, big tours because the BCCI is where the money is at,” concludes Pietersen.